The Tauranga waterfront will transform into a glowing playground from 5pm-8pm each evening during POP! Glow, Go! The free, family-friendly event will feature two large-scale light installations on the Tauranga Waterfront, alongside fire performances, neon face painting, a photo booth, luminous roaming characters, and hands on circus fun with Have a Glow Circus.
Genevieve Whitson, Manager of Downtown Tauranga, encourages the community who head along to make an evening of it. “Make the most of the city centre’s dining options and local eateries while you take in the fun,” she says.
Live music and roaming entertainment will also bring extra energy to the city centre across the long weekend, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the main streets.
Entertainment includes the Tauranga Samba Band roaming The Strand on Friday, Beat St Drummers in Red Square on Saturday, local artist Sophie Maude performing at Masonic Park on Sunday, and Fuse Drummers on Wharf Street on Monday.
“Remember that all council parking buildings and on-street parking in the city centre are free after 5pm on weekdays, as well as all day on weekends and public holidays, making it convenient to come in and enjoy the festivities,” says Genevieve.
Project Hip Hop has become a major fixture on New Zealand’s dance calendar. Photo credit, Project Hip Hop.
Mercury Baypark hosts the return of Project Hip Hop, with 1,300 young dancers from across Aotearoa taking to the stage. This year’s competition has grown to 140 crews, a 36 per cent increase compared to last year, marking record growth. Project has previously delivered economic benefits to Tauranga, generating more than 4,000 visitor nights and over $600,000 in visitor spend.
It’s a packed programme featuring crews of all ages and experience levels delivering high-energy performances, with Project Hip Hop welcoming international crews for the first time. This year’s event will host Bombelêla from Brazil, alongside three crews from Australia. Event director and founder Sarah Martin says, “This represents the beginning of an exciting pathway for greater international participation, while creating opportunities for young dancers to connect, share experiences, and celebrate Hip Hop across cultures.”
Alongside the competition, Project is also running two free workshops on Monday for emerging choreographers and young creatives in collaboration with The Wave. “By creating space for up-and-coming tutors to teach, connect, and share their passion with dancers from across Aotearoa and overseas, we are helping grow the future of street dance culture,” says Sarah.
These workshops are open to the public, all ages, and to all competing dancers at this year's championship. Registration details for the free workshops are on www.thewavenz.com
The other large event Mercury Baypark will host over the weekend is the Mid North U16 and U18 Regional Qualifying Basketball Tournament, run by Tauranga City Basketball, which brings 40 representative teams, along with coaches, officials and whānau from across the Waikato, Thames Valley, King Country and Bay of Plenty.
Held annually over King’s Birthday weekend for the past 10 years, it is a key event in the basketball pathway, with teams competing for qualification to the National Championships.
Amanda West, Head of Events at Bay Venues, says Baypark will be a major hub of activity across the weekend.
“We’re incredibly excited to see Mercury Baypark come alive with two major youth-focused events across King’s Birthday Weekend. From the energy and creativity of Project Hip Hop to the basketball talent on display at the Mid North Qualifying Tournament, this is a fantastic opportunity for the city to showcase young people doing what they love.”
Basketball fans can also catch National Basketball League action on Saturday night, when the Tauranga Whai take on the Hawke’s Bay Hawks at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. Expect a high-energy home court atmosphere with music, entertainment, giveaways and fast-paced NBL play.
Balloon Dog stars Jacob Rajan, Jehangir Homavazir, and Alisha Jacob. Photo supplied.
From award-winning Indian Ink Theatre Company, creators of Krishnan’s Dairy and The Candlestick Maker, comes Balloon Dog, where 1800s Calcutta becomes 21st-century Auckland. The production tells the story of a five-year-old girl who befriends a lonely migrant worker, challenging her family’s world and opening them to life beyond their front gate.
“Balloon Dog is a beautifully crafted theatre experience,” enthuses Baycourt Community & Arts Centre Manager, Reena Snook.
“Indian Ink’s unique ability to blend humour with serious social commentary is at the heart of this production,” says Reena. “It creates a moving and thought-provoking exploration of connection and belonging, making it a standout event and a must-see for Tauranga audiences this King’s Birthday weekend.”
Project Hip Hop Competition and the Mid North Basketball Tournament are both proudly supported by Tauranga City Council's Tauranga Event Fund, a fund designed to uplift arts, culture and sporting events to enrich our city.
Project Hip Hop Dance Competition and Balloon Dog are proudly supported by The Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, a collaboration between TECT Community Trust, Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Event details:
All King’s Birthday weekend events listed can be found on What’s On Tauranga.
POP! Glow, Go!
Tauranga Waterfront and city centre
Runs from Friday, 29 May until Monday, 1 June, 5pm-8pm
Project Hip Hop Dance Competition
Mercury Baypark
Saturday, 30 May, 7am-9pm
Sunday, 31 May, 8am-10pm
Monday, 1 June, 8am-5pm
Balloon Dog
Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
Thursday, 28 May, 7pm-8pm
Friday, 29 May, 7pm-8pm
Mid North U16 & U18 Qualifying Basketball Tournament
Mercury Baypark
Saturday, 30 May 2026, 9am–10pm
Sunday, 31 May 2026, 9am–10pm
Whai vs Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre
Saturday, 30 May 2026, 3pm–6pm